Diccon Bewes

Possibly the best way to try and understand Switzerland and her people is to ask someone whose job is doing just that. Diccon Bewes is a travel writer who grew up in Hampshire but lives in Bern. He has spent the past seven years exploring the bits of Switzerland he’d never heard of before, while grappling with German grammar, learning how to make perfect muesli and overcoming his innate British desire to form an orderly queue. And eating lots of chocolate.

At the House of Switzerland Diccon will be talking on the radio, writing in the daily newsletter, dishing out little nuggets of Swiss wisdom, tweeting live, signing his books, and creating a treasure hunt. Plus speaking at important House events, such as Swiss National Day Celebration (1 August), where he’ll reveal the lighter side to Swiss life. If you can’t come along in person, then follow his House of Switzerland updates online.

Diccon’s career in travel writing has taken the scenic route via a degree in International Relations from LSE and becoming a bookseller. After ten years at Lonely Planet and Holiday Which? magazine, he decamped to Switzerland, where until recently he was manager of the English Bookshop in Bern. Now a full-time writer, occasional radio guest and permanent expat, he continues to confound Swiss expectations of Englishmen by not drinking tea.

His first book, Swiss Watching, was a No1 bestseller and Financial Times Book of the Year. Its German translation Der Schweizversteher is also available and his new book, Swisscellany, will be published in June.

For more information please see his website.